Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath’s decision to jump to Major League Soccer and join Red Bull New York boiled down to two things.
Part of it was the club brand, telling The Post that he didn’t know “if it gets bigger than” Red Bull New York. The other was the opportunity it presented for him and his family.
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The Red Bulls officially announced Thursday that the club signed Horvath, a member of the United States Men’s National Team in the 2022 World Cup, to a deal that will keep him in the Big Apple through June 2027, with options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.
It marks the first time in his professional career that Horvath, 30, will play in MLS, having most recently played for Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday in the United Kingdom.
New Red Bulls goalkeeper Ethan Horvath shaking hands with head of sport Julian de Guzman. Red Bull New York
“After speaking with [head coach Michael Bradley] and Red Bull and everybody, it was the best opportunity for me and my family and my footballing career to come here,” Horvath said, before noting the number of clubs under the Red Bull umbrella, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
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“It’s not just to come back to MLS and to play for Red Bull New York, it’s to be a part of a massive organization and to help Red Bull New York get back on top to where they belong. … This was the right opportunity for my footballing career.”
Horvath’s professional career has included stops at Nottingham Forest and Luton Town, helping the latter club get promoted to the Premier League during the 2022-23 season.
He has also played for clubs in Norway and Belgium, and has 10 caps with the USMNT.
He played an important role in one of the national team’s most memorable wins in recent history, coming into the 2020 CONCACAF Nations League Final to help lift the Americans to a 3-2 win over Mexico with an impressive penalty kick save on Andres Guardado.
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Some have speculated that part of Horvath’s motivation for the move is to get back into the conversation for this year’s World Cup team, and while he did acknowledge some hope of being part of the U.S. squad during the June tournament, he added it wasn’t his “deciding factor.”
Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath signs his new contract with Red Bull New York. Red Bull New York
“Maybe if I was 21, yeah, I would be thinking like that,” he said. “But now that I’m 30, I’m coming here to Red Bull, to New York to write my own chapter in this league, to write my own legacy in MLS, and for me and my family to have some years here in Red Bull New York and to settle down.”
Horvath will presumably come in and take over the starting goalkeeper spot after longtime RBNY keeper Carlos Coronel departed the club in free agency.
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The move to the Red Bulls also reunites Horvath with Bradley, as the two know each other from their days on the national team. Horvath called the reunion “unbelievable.” Bradley is heading into his first year leading the first team, and the goalie lauded the passion the head coach has always held for the game.
“He’s still the same Michael that I remember when I first joined the national team nine years ago, 10 years ago,” Horvath said. “He loves this game, he loves this sport and he has so much passion for it. He has so much passion for the team, for us guys and I can’t wait to walk out with him as my manager on the first day.
“But I can already tell you from being around the building and seeing him in the meetings, and on the pitch, he’s the same Michael I remember way back when.”
